Benue chieftain rejects federal ranching plan as 'resurrected RUGA'

A prominent figure in Benue State's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government's proposed National Ranching Policy. Chief Bemgba Iortyom, who is also the PDP's candidate for the Mataa State Constituency Assembly in 2027, labeled the policy an attempt to reintroduce the contentious RUGA settlement initiative.

Iortyom urged Benue State to reject the federal plan, emphasizing that the RUGA settlements had previously faced significant opposition from the people. The RUGA initiative, aimed at establishing cattle colonies, was met with widespread criticism and resistance across various parts of Nigeria due to concerns about land rights and potential conflicts.

The chieftain's rejection signals a potential political challenge to the federal government's agricultural agenda, particularly in states that have historically resisted such policies. The call to action highlights the ongoing debate surrounding land use, herder-farmer relations, and the implementation of national policies at the state level.